Shut off while driving, no restart

Tiny
RENAE CURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CADILLAC STS
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
Driving my car yesterday and it shut off. Won't restart. New battery. All the lights work. Radio works. Push the start button, it clicks once, then nothing. The night before it was negative 15 degrees outside. I went to carwash cooled engine off. Sprayed engine degreaser and sprayed it off. Left doors open car wouldn't start. Got a jump it started. Next morning started fine. I went to the store, it started fine and 15 minutes later it shut off while driving. Starter? Alternator? Please help
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 5:26 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
Renae,

Since it started when you had it jump started, it sounds like a weak battery. Have you checked to make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight? A weak connection could cause just a click when trying to start it. Take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

If they are clean and tight, then we need to check if the alternator is doing its job. You will need a voltmeter or a multimeter. It's really easy to do. Here is a link showing how it is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

The idea that it will stall when driving and then only click when trying to restart it leads me to think the alternator isn't doing its job. If you have a good battery, it can regain power when not in use allowing it to start.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
RENAE CURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
The Fly Wheel doesn't turn. The Harmonic Balancer doesn't turn. My engine is shot. I put a new starter in, tried to start it and the car sounded like there was a screwdriver bouncing around in the engine.
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Sunday, January 16th, 2022 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
Renae,

If they aren't turning, do you mean the engine is locked up? You indicated there was noise when trying to start it. Could you upload a video of what you hear so I can hear it as well? Also, when you were driving, was there any evidence of engine noise prior to it stalling?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, January 16th, 2022 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
RENAE CURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Yep. Pretty sure it's Locked up. No noise when it shuts off. I can't upload a video; I returned the new starter. Tried to spin them by hand.
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Monday, January 17th, 2022 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
When you say spin them by hand, are you referring to the crankshaft pulley and flywheel? Did you use a breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley?

Joe
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Monday, January 17th, 2022 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
RENAE CURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Yes. I used A pry bar, breaker bar, whatever I could.
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Monday, January 17th, 2022 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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LOL Okay. I just wanted to confirm.

Listen, if there is anything I can help with, let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, January 17th, 2022 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
RENAE CURTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I guess the starter wasn't shimmed. Going to get one tomorrow and try again.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,136 POSTS
Renae,

Let me know what happens. Also, if you can record it when trying to start, do so and upload it for me to hear.

As far as shims, if there weren't any when you removed the old starter, it really shouldn't require them, but anything is possible.

If you look below, I provided the directions for the removal and replacement of the starter motor. I hope it helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 AT 7:53 PM

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